Vacuum cleaner structure

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner structure wherein a swivel is retained in association with the nozzle by a swivel retainer removably received in a slot in the nozzle outlet opening. The swivel retainer includes a resilient catch member which may be released to permit removal of the swivel from the nozzle when desired with the retainer being held in locking position by the swivel and nozzle in the assembled arrangement. A spring is provided for biasing the nozzle brush into operative position relative to the nozzle, and in one form of the invention, the spring is retained in association with the nozzle by the swivel retainer.

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,832,753 Crooks Sept. 3, 1974 VACUUM CLEANER STRUCTURE Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby 75 I t I l R. k h Assistant Examiner-C. Moore 1 or n ey Cmo s S akopee mn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, [73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton st llman & McCord Harbor, Mich.

[221 Filed: Sept. 12, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT 21 Appl. No.: 288,380

151 I ll A vacuum cleaner structure wherein a swivel is retained in association with the nozzle by a swivel retainer removably received in a slot in the nozzle outlet opening. The swivel retainer includes a resilient catch member which may be released to permit removal of the swivel from the nozzle when desired with the retainer being held in locking position by the swivel and nozzle in theassembled arrangement. A spring is provided for biasing the nozzle brush into operative position relative to the nozzle, and in one form of the invention, the spring is retained in association with the nozzle by the swivel retainer.

-l5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures VACUUM CLEANER STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to vacuum cleaner structures, and in particular to a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a swivel tube removably attached thereto.

2. Description of the Prior Art United States Letters Patent which would appear to be pertinent to the present invention include:

3,286,295 to Fromknecht Manly U.S. Pat. No. 3,245,703 shows a pipe coupling having a retainer clip which snaps into a part of the coupling with a projection carried by the clip locking into an annular channel. Baylis U.S. Pat. No. 1,175,402 discloses a ring for locking a wand to a nozzle in a swivel arrangement. Fromknecht U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,295 shows another form of nozzle attachment for a vacuum cleaner. Lofgren U.S. Pat. No. 2,318,317 shows still another form of suction nozzle having a tubular handle pivotally connected thereto.

MacLean U.S. Pat. No. 1,013,606 shows a brush carrying bar retained in operating position by a clip acting against a coil spring to hold the brush on a pin. Dow U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,943 shows a mop utilizing a clip snapping into a bracket for holding the mop brush in place. Smith U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,716 shows a vacuum cleaner nozzle and attachment having a clip holding the removable squeegee bar in place. Faith-Ell U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,903, Lawrence U.S. Pat. No. 1,809,302, and Keefer U.S. Pat. No. 1,533,919 disclose other forms of brush holding devices. Kemper U.S. Pat. No. 2,972,771

and Congdon U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,623 disclose nozzle structures having integral means for retaining the clip or brush. Dow et al U.S. Pat. No. 2,314,081 show a tube which, when swiveled, causes a cam to push down on a rod to force downwardly the spring biased comb. Humphrey U.S. Pat. No. 2,619,671 shows a brush bar which is juxtaposed to the swivel retainer.

Thus, it is known in the prior art to provide means in SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved simplified structure for connecting the air-conducting swivel tube to the nozzle by a swivel connection and means for resiliently urging the vacuum cleaner brush to the operative position. The invention comprehends, in one form, the utilization of the swivel retainer also as the spring retainer for further simplified low cost construction of the vacuum cleaner structure.

More specifically, the present invention comprehends an improved vacuum cleaner structure including a nozzle, a swivel, and a swivel retainer releasably locked together in a cooperating swivelling relationship, the nozzle advantageously being formed of a molded synthetic plastic and having an annular wall I U.S. Pat. No. 1,013,606 to MacLean Vacuum Creating Mechanism for Dust Collectors do. 1,175,402 to Baylis Tool Attachment do. 1,533,919 to Keefer Hand Operated Vacuum Cleaner do. 1,809,302 to Lawrence Floor Polishing Device do. 2,002,637 to Leathers Suction Cleaner do. 2,276,943 to Dow Vacuum Cleaner Floor Mop do. 2,314,081 to Dow et a1 Vacuum Cleaner do. 2,318,317 to Lofgren Suction Nozzle do. 2,619,671 to Humphrey Suction Cleaner Tool Assembly do. 2,703,903 to Faith-Ell Combination Suction Cleaner Noule and Brush Member do. 2,805,440 to Hakanson Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle do. 2,972,771 to Kemper Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle with Resiliently Mounted Brush do. 3,069,716 to Smith Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle and Attachment do. 3,079,623 to Congdon Vacuum Cleaner Floor Tool do. 3,117,338 to Stevens Suction Nozzle do. 3,245,703 to Manly Quick Detachable Pipe Coupling do. Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle portion defining an air-conducting outlet opening, the annular wall portion being provided with a longitudinally outwardly and radially inwardly opening, longitudinal slot and defining inner and outer longitudinally spaced shoulders; a swivel tube having an end removably rotatably disposed in the outlet opening and having an annular, radially outwardly opening groove; and a swivel retainer element fitted in the slot and having a resilient catch member provided with a radially outwardly projecting shoulder adapted to abut the longitudinally outer shoulder of the nozzle to prevent longitudinal withdrawal of the retainer element outwardly through the slot, the resilient catch member flexing or bending inward under a manually applied force to interrupt the abutting relationship between the shoulder on the catch member and the shoulder of the nozzle, thereby to release the locked relationship between the nozzle, the swivel tube, and the swivel retainer, the retainer element further having a rounded, radially out wardly projecting shoulder received in the swivel tube groove to releasably retain the swivel tube end rotatably in the outlet opening, the retainer element being retained by the swivel tube end against radial inward movement from the slot.

The vacuum cleaner structure may further more specifically include a brush, means on the nozzle for adjustably mounting the brush to the nozzle, and spring means carried by the nozzle biasing the brush to an operative position.

In one form of the invention, the spring means includes means cooperating with the swivel retainer for securing the spring means to the nozzle.

Thus, the vacuum cleaner structure of the present invention is extremely simple and economical of con struction while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum cleaner structure embodying the invention, with the nozzle disposed in an upside-down position;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof with the elements in assembled relationship;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the biasing of the brush to operative position relative to the nozzle;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged section of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a'plan view of the swivel retainer installed in the nozzle slot;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the swivel'retainer; and

FIG. 9 is a section illustrating a modified form of the invention wherein the brush biasing spring is retained in association with the nozzle by means of the swivel retainer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a vacuum cleaner structure generally designated 10 is-shown to comprise a nozzle 11 which may illustratively be formed of a molded synthetic plastic such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). A swivel tube 12 is provided with a connector end 13 removably rotatably receivable in an outlet opening 14 of the nozzle for conducting dirt-laden air from the nozzle through the swivel tube 12, through a wand (not shown) and through a hose (not shown) to the vacuum cleaner filter means (not shown). Herein the swivel tube 12 is removably or releasably secured to the nozzle by a swivel retainer 15 received in a slot 16 extending longitudinally outwardly through opening 14 and opening radially inwardly to confront the swivel its longitudinally outer end, a radially outwardly projecting portion 23. The locking tongue or catch member 27 is resilient and when pressure is applied manually to projection 23, catch member 27 will bend under the pressure. Wall portion 19 further defines a windowlike opening 22 inwardly adjacent shoulder 21 for receiving projecting portion 23 of the swivel retainer 15 in the assembled arrangement, as shown in FIG. 4. The opening 22 provides access to catch member 27 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 for releasing swivel retainer 15 as will appear. The distal end of projection 23 defines a shoulder 24 extending radially to the axis of the opening and confronting shoulder 21 whereby shoulder 24 is adapted to abut shoulder 21 and, thus, prevent longitudinal withdrawal of the retainer element 15 outwardly through slot 16. The inner surface 25 of the projection 23 is inclined, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The rear end 28 of the retainer element is complementary to the surface 20 of wall portion 19, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Retainer element 15 further defines a rounded projecting rib or shoulder 29 which, as shown in FIG. 7, extends fully across the retainer element. Swivel end 13 defines a radially outwardly opening annular groove 30 removably receiving the rib 29, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to releasably lock the swivel tube end 13 rotatably in the outlet opening 14 as a result of the retention of the swivel retainer in slot 16 by the swivel tube end 13 which prevents a radial inward movement of the retainer element from the slot. Thus, the swivel tube end and retainer element cooperate to maintain the retained association of each with nozzle 11 without the need for any securing elements, such as screws, rivets, etc., as are conventionally employed in the art. With the present invention, the swivel retainer 15 may be readily manipulated to release the above-described locked relationship between the nozzle 11, the swivel tube 12, and the swivel retainer 15 by manually applying pressure to catch member 27 through projection 23 accessible through the opening 22 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). A pencil, or the like, may be used to apply pressure to projection 23. As projection 23 is pushed inward,

} shoulder 24 on the swivel retainer no longer abuts tube end 13 in the assembled arrangement of structure 10. The swivel retainer 15 may advantageously be formed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).

Nozzle 11 is further provided with a brush 17 retained in association with the nozzle by a plurality of spring fingers 18 which may be molded integrally with the nozzle 11. Nozzle 11 may also advantageously include a plurality of stop ribs 18a to prevent over-flexing and breakage of the spring fingers 18. One stop rib 18a is provided behind each spring finger 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the stop ribs 18a may advantageously be molded integrally with the nozzle 11.

The wall portion 19 defining the opening 14 and slot 16 further defines a pair of longitudinally spaced shoulders including longitudinally inner shoulder 20 and longitudinally outer shoulder 21. Shoulder 20 is defined by the end wall of slot 16 in nozzle 11. Shoulder 21 is defined by window-like opening 22 in slot 16 adjacent the inner side of the rear wall of nozzle 11. As shown in FIG. 4, outer shoulder 21 is substantially radial relative to the axis of the opening 14. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the retainer element 15 includes a pair of outwardly projecting side legs 26 at opposite sides of a central locking tongue or catch member 27 which defines, at

shoulder 21 on nozzle 11 and swivel tube 12 can be pulled outward from nozzle 11 thereby to disassemble vacuum cleaner structure 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the brush 17 includes a back 31 and tufts 32 projecting from the back 31 in a conventional manner. A leaf spring 33 is mounted to the nozzle 11 by means of a centering projection 34 on the nozzle and a cooperating recessed portion 35 at the center of the spring, with the opposite ends 36 of the spring being thusly resiliently biased against the outer edge 37 of brush back 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the spring fingers l8 define turned distal ends 38 which underlie the inner edge 39 of brush back 31 to cooperate with spring 33 in retaining the brush in a socket portion 40 of the nozzle. When it is desired to remove brush 17 for any reason, the user need merely urge the spring fingers l8 rearwardly to disengage the end 38 from the brush back whereupon the brush may be moved outwardly from socket 40 as desired. The stop ribs 18a prevent over-bending and breakage of the spring fingers 18 during brush assembly or disassembly.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIG. 9 to comprise a vacuum cleaner structure generally designated 1 10 which is similar to structure 10 but wherein the nozzle wall portion 1 19 is provided'jwith a longitudinally inner opening 141. Brush biasing spring 133 comprises a leaf spring having one end 136 engaging brush back 131, and an opposite end 142 extending through the opening 141 to be received between the retainer element 115 and wall portion 119 in slot 116. Spring end 142 includes a turned distal tip 143 projecting into opening 122 to lock the spring 133 to the nozzle 111. Swivel retainer element 115 includes a catch member 127 provided with a projection 123 similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8. Thus, the swivel retainer element 115 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 not only serves to retain the swivel tube 1 12 rotatably in the nozzle, but also to retain the brush biasing spring in operative position relative to the brush in socket 140.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

I claim:

1. A vacuum cleaner structure comprising: a nozzle having an annular wall portion defining an airconducting outlet opening, said annular wall portion being provided with a longitudinally outwardly and radially inwardly opening, longitudinal slot, said nozzle defining inner and outer longitudinally spaced shoulders at the opposite ends of said slot; a swivel tube having an end removably rotatably disposed in said outlet opening and having an annular, radially outwardly opening groove; and a swivel retainer element fitted in said slot and having a releasable catch member provided with a shoulder adapted to abut said longitudinally outer shoulder of the nozzle to prevent longitudinal withdrawal of the retainer element outwardly through said slot, said retainer element further having a rounded, radially inwardly projecting shoulder received in said swivel tube annular groove to releasably retain the swivel tube end rotatably in said outlet opening, said retainer element being retained by said swivel tube end against radial inward movement from said slot.

2. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said catch member is formed of flexible material which may be manually flexed to interrupt the abutting relationship between the shoulder on the catch member and the shoulder of the nozzle permitting withdrawal of the retainer element.

3. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said swivel retainer element includes a longitudinally inner end defining a shoulder longitudinally inwardly of said radially outwardly projecting shoulder abutting the inner shoulder of said nozzle wall portion.

4. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle wall portion is provided with a radial opening at the longitudinally outer end of said slot and said nozzle includes a wall portion at the outer end of said opening defining said outer nozzle shoulder.

5. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle wall portion is provided with a radial opening at the longitudinally outer end of said slot and said nozzle includes a wall portion at the outer end of said opening defining said outer nozzle shoulder and said outwardly projecting shoulder of the swivel retainer extends into said radial opening.

6. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle wall portion is provided with a surface at the longitudinally inner end of said slot defining said nozzle wall portion longitudinally inner shoulder and said swivel retainer defines a complementary end surface at its longitudinally inner end adapted to facially engage said wall portion surface.

7. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle includes a wall portion having an opening formed therein providing access to said catch member for release thereof.

8. The vacuumcleaner structure of claim 1 further including a brush, means on said nozzle for adjustable mounting said brush to said nozzle; and spring means carried by said nozzle biasing said brush to an operative position.

9. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein the catch member may be manually flexed to interrupt the abutting relationship between the shoulder on the catch member and the shoulder of the nozzle permitting withdrawal of the retainer element and release of the locked relationship between the nozzle, the swivel tube, and the swivel retainer element.

10. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said spring means includes means cooperating with said swivel retainer for securing the spring means to the nozzle.

11. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said nozzle has a wall portion which defines an opening at the longitudinally inner end of the slot, and said spring includes a retaining portion extending through said opening and secured to said wall portion by said swivel retainer.

12. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said brush mounting means on said nozzle defines a socket and spring finger means adjacent said socket, said brush including a back releasably locked in said socket by said spring finger means.

13. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 12 wherein said spring finger means is provided with a stop member to prevent over-flexing of said spring finger means.

14. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said brush mounting means on said nozzle defuies a socket and spring finger means adjacent said socket, said brush including a back releasably locked in said socket by said spring finger means, said spring means biasing said brush back into locked association with said spring finger means.

15. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said spring means comprises a leaf spring having one end engaging said brush and an opposite end removably fixed to said nozzle adjacent said swivel retainer. 

1. A vacuum cleaner structure comprising: a nozzle having an annular wall portion defining an air-conducting outlet opening, said annular wall portion being provided with a longitudinally outwardly and radially inwardly opening, longitudinal slot, said nozzle defining inner and outer longitudinally spaced shoulders at the opposite ends of said slot; a swivel tube having an end removably rotatably disposed in said outlet opening and having an annular, radially outwardly opening groove; and a swivel retainer element fitted in said slot and having a releasable catch member provided with a shoulder adapted to abut said longitudinally outer shoulder of the nozzle to prevent longitudinal withdrawal of the retainer element outwardly through said slot, said retainer element further having a rounded, radially inwardly projecting shoulder received in said swivel tube annular groove to releasably retain the swivel tube end rotatably in said outlet opening, said retainer element being retained by said swivel tube end against radial inward movement from said slot.
 2. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said catch member is formed of flexible material which may be manually flexed to interrupt the abutting relationship between the shoulder on the catch member and the shoulder of the nozzle permitting withdrawal of the retainer element.
 3. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said swivel retainer element includes a longitudinally inner end defining a shoulder longitudinally inwardly of said radially outwardly projecting shoulder abutting the inner shoulder of said nozzle wall portion.
 4. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle wall portion is provided with a radial opening at the longitudinally outer end of said slot and said nozzle includes a wall portion at the outer end of said opening defining said outer nozzle shoulder.
 5. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle wall portion is provided with a radial opening at the longitudinally outer end of said slot and said nozzle includes a wall portion at the outer end of said opening defining said outer nozzle shoulder and said outwardly projecting shoulder of the swivel retainer extends into said radial opening.
 6. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle wall portion is provided with a surface at the longitudinally inner end of said slot defining said nozzle wall portion longitudinally inner shoulder and said swivel retainer defines a complementary end surface at its longitudinally inner end adapted to facially engage said wall portion surface.
 7. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 wherein said nozzle includes a wall portion having an opening formed therein providing access to said catch member for release thereof.
 8. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 1 further including a brush, means on said nozzle for adjustable mounting said brush to said nozzle; and spring means carried by said nozzle biasing said brush to an operative position.
 9. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein the catch member may be manually flexed to interrupt the abutting relationship between the shoulder on the catch member and the shoulder of the nozzle permitting withdrawal of the retainer element and release of the locked relationship between the nozzle, the swivel tube, and the swivel retainer element.
 10. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said spring means includes means cooperating with said swivel retainer for securing the spring means to the nozzle.
 11. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said nozzle has a wall portion which defines an opening at the longitudinally inner end of the slot, and said spring includes a retaining portion extending through said opening and secured to said wall portion by said swivel retainer.
 12. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said brush mounting means on said nozzle defines a socket and spring finger means adjacent said socket, said brush including a back releasably locked in said socket by said spring finger means.
 13. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 12 wherein said spring finger means is provided with a stop member to prevent over-flexing of said spring finger means.
 14. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said brush mounting means on said nozzle defines a socket and spring finger means adjacent said socket, said brush including a back releasably locked in said socket by said spring finger means, said spring means biasing said brush back into locked association with said spring finger means.
 15. The vacuum cleaner structure of claim 8 wherein said spring means comprises a leaf spring having one end engaging said brush and an opposite end removably fixed to said nozzle adjacent said swivel retainer. 